The curious case of Brett Favre's will-he-or-won't-he flirtation with the Minnesota Vikings may be nearing an end.

And, according to one report, he won't.

Favre told Vikings coach Brad Childress that he will remain retired, a source close to the team told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday. The Yahoo! report said that Favre told Childress of his decision in a phone call, and that he could "publicly explain his decision soon."

And thus ends another dramatic Brett Favre story.

For now.

"It's worth remembering that sometimes popular things are popular for a reason. Because they're GOOD or because Will Smith is in it."

The Minnesota Vikings will not sign free-agent quarterback Brett Favre(notes), a source close to the team told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday.

The source said Favre told Vikings coach Brad Childress that he wanted to remain retired in a phone call that took place sometime in the last day. Favre is expected to publicly explain his decision soon.

Favre, who announced his first retirement in March 2008 after spending 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, decided to resume his career last summer and was traded to the New York Jets in August. After one season in New York, Favre retired again and was subsequently released by the Jets on April 29.

Just days after his release from the Jets, speculation began that the Vikings were interested in bringing in a veteran to compete with Sage Rosenfels(notes), who was acquired this offseason from the Houston Texans. Rosenfels is atop the depth chart heading into training camp, with Tarvaris Jackson and John David Booty(notes) also on the roster.

The same guy who's won as many championships as Weeb Ewbank and Don McCafferty?

Some coaches who have won exactly one Super Bowl:

Tony DungyJohn MaddenDick VermeilBill CowherHank StramMike Holmgren

... and none of them ever had a team as dominant as Ditka's.

Suffice it to say, the list of coaches who failed to go to back-to-back super bowls consists of almost every single coach in history (only six coaches have ever achieved it).

So ... great point, whatever it was. Oh yeah, your point was that Weeb Ewbank was a better coach than Marv Levy or Dan Reeves. That's right.

Not to mention, the post you quoted was exactly one word long and said nothing in support of Ditka. In fact, all it said was, "Ditka." I'm pretty sure it was a joke.

Yes I know it was a joke, as was my post. Check your sarcasm meter.

As of 2/28/05: 101 pounds since December 7, 2004OFFICIAL THREE-MONTH COUNT: 112 pounds on March 9, 2005OFFICIAL SIX-MONTH COUNT: 142 pounds on June 8, 2005OFFICIAL ONE YEAR COUNT: 187 pounds on December 7, 2005As of 2/27/06: 202 pounds "I've lost a heavyweight"As of 7/31/06: 224 poundsAs of 12/7/08 (four years out): Still 210 pounds down!Now announcing for NBWA Championship Wrestling!*2008 NBWA Personality of the Year*www.IlliniHQ.com home of DWS Sportsnight PODCASTS, the E-Files and downstate radio home of thecubsfan!

It would have been way to early in the off-season for Favre to sign with the Vikings. He might have been compelled to attend mini-camps or worse 2 a days in training camp. Plus, it would deprive his media sycophants of a few months worth of Will Brett Return stories.

The health of quarterback Brett Favre's throwing arm appears to be a pivotal factor in whether he comes out of retirement to play for the Minnesota Vikings.

A source close to the situation told ESPN's Jeremy Schaap on Friday that X-rays of Favre's right shoulder -- he has pain resulting from a torn biceps tendon -- have been sent to the Vikings and that the X-rays are in the process of being evaluated. If it is determined by Favre's and the Vikings' medical people that he needs anything less than "major" surgery on his shoulder, Favre will unretire to play for the Vikings, the source said.

If "major" surgery is necessary, Favre will remain retired, the source said.

The news comes one day after Yahoo! Sports reported that the 39-year-old Favre told Vikings coach Brad Childress he would remain retired.

Bus Cook, Favre's agent, told ESPN's Rachel Nichols on Friday that he did not know of any X-rays being sent to Minnesota.

Cook did leave a door open to Favre playing for the Vikings saying he would expect "to have a conversation about how badly they wanted him and what kind of contract and terms we were talking about." But, "so far, that hasn't happened."

"Brett would have to be mentally ready to go play, physically ready to go play and want to go play, and I'm not sure all three of those things are there right now." Cook said.

To play a 19th NFL season, Cook said, "Brett would have to be mentally ready to go play, physically ready to go play and want to go play, and I'm not sure all three of those things are there right now."

Favre wanted to play for the Vikings last season, but the Green Bay Packers specifically eliminated their NFC North rivals as a destination when they negotiated the trade that sent Favre to the Jets last August.

Although Favre said he would not play in 2009, the Jets released him after drafting Mark Sanchez in the first round in April. Favre could see the Vikings as the opportunity to fulfill the goal he was deprived of last season -- winning a Super Bowl.

The two have been a hot topic in the past two weeks. There were reports earlier this week that Childress planned to meet with Favre at the player's Mississippi home to try to talk him into coming to the team. Cook told ESPN and another reporter on Thursday that Favre "is retired'" and he doesn't know of any phone conversation or meeting with Childress.

Then came Yahoo!'s report saying Favre informed Childress he would not play in the coming season.

Cook said Thursday that he spoke to Favre, who never mentioned any telephone conversation with Childress. Cook also added that he knew of no plans for Favre to address the Vikings situation publicly, as suggested in a Yahoo! Sports report.

Vikings officials have declined comment to The Associated Press.

According to Schaap's source, Favre is motivated to continue his career, in part due to his disdain for Packers management, and he is eager to play again in the NFC North, where he would have the chance to exact a measure of revenge against the franchise he spent 16 seasons with.

Cook, however, continued to leave a door open to Favre playing for the Vikings, saying that if or when Favre is ready or interested in joining the franchise, Cook would expect "to have a conversation about how badly they [Minnesota] wanted him and what kind of contract and terms we were talking about."